Wine and Dine Marathon After Party

[Mac4life30]

How crowded should I anticipate the After Party to be? Should I go in with the mentality that if I am able to enjoy one food item I should be thankful? I have heard stories that World Showcase is more crowded than at 11:59 PM on New Year’s Eve. I have also head of people waiting over one hour just to get there checked items. Can anyone share any information about this event? Also if I want a picture with Mickey at the finish line holding up my metal should I expect to spend 90% of the time allotted for the after party waiting in this line?
Thanks

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

How crowded should I anticipate the After Party to be? Should I go in with the mentality that if I am able to enjoy one food item I should be thankful? I have heard stories that World Showcase is more crowded than at 11:59 PM on New Year’s Eve. I have also head of people waiting over one hour just to get there checked items. Can anyone share any information about this event? Also if I want a picture with Mickey at the finish line holding up my metal should I expect to spend 90% of the time allotted for the after party waiting in this line?
Thanks

I don't remember seeing Mickey at the Finish Line, but rather the staging area at WWOS. Could be that he just wasn't at the Finish Line when I was...the Finish Line for the night races is usually pretty disappointing. The bag check was super efficient last year, so I think the wait was related to the first Wine & Dine. There are various characters in the World Showcase that you can get pictures with, but not sure which ones will be there this year. Maybe someone else saw Mickey afterwards? Yes, the party is crowded, but if you don't mind the usual lines, there is a lot of food to choose from. It isn't the full Wine & Dine festival, but still has a great selection. All the lines depend entirely on how fast you are. Middle of the pack and after that end up dealing with longer waits.

 

[Mac4life30]

So the quicker I am the quicker Ill be having the Cheese Soup in Canada.

Are all the 29 food kiosks open? Compared to a Saturday Afternoon when some of the lines are 10/20 people long how long are the lines during the after party.

 

[regul8ter18]

It really does all depend on how fast you are. I started in corral C and it took me 2:45 minutes. When I got to the party I went to three stations and thats with taking time to sit and eat and talk to my dad. I could have went to more but I didn't want to. we also went on test track before heading to the showcase.

Courtney

 

[FireDancer]

I only did the race the first year and yes, after a while it was very crowded. I finished 26th so I was able to change and eat anywhere I wanted with little wait for a while. Once more people started to finish it got pretty crowded and after a while getting food was a pain.

Part of the problem was that nothing in Future World was opened and while Maelstrom and the ride in Mexico were running no one knew that. In the literature they said rides wouldn't be opened but they made an announcement, which it turns out most people didn't hear, that Norway and Mexico would be.

From what I understand the changes they made after the first year have opened up the World Showcase and the food stalls because there are other options and the race isn't finishing right outside the International Gateway.

 

[Mac4life30]

I only did the race the first year and yes, after a while it was very crowded. I finished 26th so I was able to change and eat anywhere I wanted with little wait for a while. Once more people started to finish it got pretty crowded and after a while getting food was a pain.

Part of the problem was that nothing in Future World was opened and while Maelstrom and the ride in Mexico were running no one knew that. In the literature they said rides wouldn't be opened but they made an announcement, which it turns out most people didn't hear, that Norway and Mexico would be.

From what I understand the changes they made after the first year have opened up the World Showcase and the food stalls because there are other options and the race isn't finishing right outside the International Gateway.

Did you compete in the race last year? What was your time to come in 26th?

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

So the quicker I am the quicker Ill be having the Cheese Soup in Canada.

Are all the 29 food kiosks open? Compared to a Saturday Afternoon when some of the lines are 10/20 people long how long are the lines during the after party.

They seem to say that all kiosks are open in the program, but last year, not all food kiosks were open. It seems kind of strange that they don't show the details anywhere. I do love the Cheese Soup, but this year, the portion seemed to get a bit smaller. At least during opening weekend. Most of the food options were really great this year, so if they do actually have them all open, you should be set if you like to eat after you run. If you have any spectators joining you, may be worth signing up for runner tracking and having them meet you at the finish line with a bowl/cup!

 

[FireDancer]

Did you compete in the race last year? What was your time to come in 26th?

No, I did the inaugural race in 2010. I ran a 1:29:38.

 

[momhmmx2]

I ran both years the relay first half...It starts to get really crowded probably around 1:00-1:30am....I remember hearing a CM say it is more crowded than New Years!

And while, Yes, Disney did open rides last year to help spread the crowd levels out most people seem to want to be in the showcase enjoying F&W. (and who blames them!)

Our partners who were running the second 1/2 texted us when they got close to finish and we got in line to get them their most wanted beverage and food! I plan to do this again this year with friends who will be at the party awaiting my arrival. I know that by the time I actually finish this race (3.5hours later) the party will be in full swing!

Enjoy!

 

[Mac4life30]

So I guess if there is something I trully want to enjoy then is in my best intrest to go before the race/party. Since chances are ill be waiting forever at the after party. I dont do well with large crowds. I end up having to find a spot to go into till the crowd gets smaller.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

So I guess if there is something I trully want to enjoy then is in my best intrest to go before the race/party. Since chances are ill be waiting forever at the after party. I dont do well with large crowds. I end up having to find a spot to go into till the crowd gets smaller.

It is not as busy as New Years and the crowds aren't that bad. The thing was that most people were expecting to not have to wait in lines after they finished and that combined with the whole being super tired from running 13.1 miles and staying up past most people's bedtime, only added to the frustration. We didn't wait long for the cheese soup...it seemed like it, but I was really tired. But, I really love the cheese soup and I would have stood in line for a while. The quick service food booths were not as busy. Lines to the W&D kiosks were a bit out there, but once you got into some of the pavillions, it wasn't too bad. If cheese soup will make you happy after you finish, get the cheese soup!

 

[Mac4life30]

Thanks!!!!

 

[Jousey]

I will be intresting to see. After experincing ToT after perty my guess is we will be on an early bus back to the start and headed to bed.